By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — It has been almost five years since New Yorkers rooted for Ilda Ujkaj, then a bright 10-year-old, to regain consciousness after her family's car was struck by Gerard Gormley, a carpenter who was pleaded guilty to drunk driving in October 2005.
While Ilda's family is thankful for her recovery, they are burdened with bills. Ilda previously attended public school, but had to transfer to private school to receive more focused attention in smaller classes, which she needs as a result of her injuries, her mother said.
"She has still memory problems and she has difficulties with school," said Fatbardha Ujkaj, Ilda's mother who was also a passenger in the accident. Ilda also needs after-school tutoring, which her family hasn't been able to afford for more than a year.
The family hopes they might find the money to pay for Ilda's continuing care through a $50 million lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Jury selection will continue Monday in the civil trial Ilda's family filed against Gormley after years of failed attempts to reach a settlement.
Ilda's mother, a city employee, hopes money recovered from the lawsuit will help the family provide for the 15-year-old, who has had to cut back on doctor visits and has suffered from chronic headaches since she was in a coma.
Although her doctor recommended cognitive treatment, insurance will not cover the sessions, which range from $150 to $400, her attorney said.
"She's not getting the gold standard of anything," said Stephen Schiesel, the family's attorney. "She's getting what the family can afford, a minimal amount."
Ilda's father was driving home to the East Harlem building where he's a superintendent from a family wedding in Queens on April 10, 2005, when the cars collided, putting Ilda into a six-day coma.
Everyone in the family's car was injured, including Ilda's older cousin, Salma Purovic, now 23, who suffered 16 broken bones and hemorrhages in her brain, Schiesel said.
"Both girls almost died," the lawyer added.
After registering a .2 blood alcohol level, Gormely pleaded guilty to drunk driving in Queens. The legal limit is .08. He was not criminally charged for causing the family's injuries.
Gormley's attorney declined to comment. The driver is facing a separate legal action from Ilda's father.
